These lads form a winning combination
Wesley College’s success story in rugby could have never described in a much appropriate way than how their team is making the school proud this season. Armed with loads of aims that are typical to any top rugby playing school teams of Sri Lanka, the Wesley rugby team could have emotionally come a few steps back after tasting a few defeats.
This would have been any team’s position after having aimed at the most prestigious rugby plum on offer in Sri Lanka for schools rugby. Especially after having regained their past glory, as one of the top school rugby teams in the country at a time.
But they are certainly not beyond the reach of their amended goal, which is to end up as the second best team of the group. For this they are adamant to win the remaining games to be played. And this too they are aiming with the fullest potential.
According to team officials the Wesley rugby team this year is truly winning outfit, deserving the top position. But due to unforced errors on the field they admit that the side has come down to the fourth position in the group. The side is made of top playmakers including the skipper and scrum half Rahul de Silva. Others who are considered as great contributors include forwards Gavin Siegertsz and Sithum Peiris and three-quarters Ishara Madushan, Lahiru Prasad and Ishaaq Juranpathy. These six players are the topmost seniors in the side.
From the bunch skipper Rahul is a versatile sportsman, also having played first XI cricket for Wesley in the capacity of deputy skipper. Among other experienced players in the side are forwards Randeera de Silva, Thisara Hashan and Shezaad Hamidon backs Joel Thilakaratne, Yohan Seth and Usman Thaha. The good news is Wesley will have the entire squad for next year with the exception of only four of the top seniors. This will definitely give them higher hopes in aiming for the league title next season.
This season they pulled off stunning victories over defending champions Isipathana, St. Anthony’s and St. Joseph’s colleges before succumbing to Royal College in their fourth encounter. This probably brought down the motivation of the players to an extent as they lost their games against title contenders Trinity and Dharmaraja colleges in their last two outings. According to what is said from the team’s point of view these losses were negative points that spoilt their goal.
But Wesley are confident of winning in the remaining games of the season as they look forward to build a strong team and with resolutions target is slipping out of their hands this season. The perfect stepping stone will be winning the Knockout Championship which is their next closest target. To achieve that Wesley has the outfit which is united and thriving. Once this is achieved the coaching staff headed by experienced rugby player Henry Terrence, a former Wesleyite himself and his assistant Amal Pathirana are determined to transform the Campbell Park side into a formidable and unquestionable position.
Wesley squad
Props: Randeera de Silva, Dilan Madushanka, Auvinde Madampe, Sahan Mendis. |
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